RB Leipzig’s director of sport has admitted that while Manchester City want to sign Josko Gvardiol, the club do not need to sell him.
City entered the summer transfer window with Croatian centre-back Gvardiol as one of their top priorities.
The 21-year-old reportedly agreed personal terms with City one month ago, and on Wednesday Fabrizio Romano reported that the two clubs had reached an agreement over a transfer.
However, conflicting reports have since emerged to cast doubt over the deal.
According to Florian Plettenberg, Leipzig want £86m guaranteed plus realistic add-ons.
City are reportedly yet to meet that demand, so there is a realistic chance that Gvardiol stays at the Bundesliga club this summer.
Gvardiol has reported for pre-season training with Leipzig, and when asked about the situation, manager Marco Rose said: “Josko is one of our players and as far as I know he will remain one of our players.”
Leipzig director weighs in
Now, Leipzig’s director of sport Max Eberl has had his say on the developing saga.
Speaking to Sky on Friday morning, he explained why a deal is far from completed.
“There is no agreement with Manchester City. Not even close,” he said.
“The fact is that Man City would like to have him. Currently we are still very far apart. The [£60m] transfer of [Dominik] Szoboszlai [to Liverpool] has secured us financially. We don’t need the money. We would prefer Josko to stay.
“We are not a club that blocks anything. We are transparent. But we have our ideas and want them to be implemented.”
MCN view: Leipzig won’t give Gvardiol up easily
City really want Gvardiol, but Leipzig are desperate to keep him.
That’s not surprising when you hear what his peers have said about him.
In December, Gvardiol’s Croatia and potential future City teammate Mateo Kovacic said of him: “He’s phenomenal, he’s 20 and he’s already fantastic. He can play at the highest level and he will only continue to get better.”
If Leipzig really don’t want the money then a deal might prove tricky to pull off.
